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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21291, 19 September 1932, Page 12

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TEMPERANCE CENTENARY

CELEBRATION IN CITY

CONDITIONS IN EARLIER DAYS

In celebration of tho centenary of the modern temperance movement a largo gathering of temperance supporters and members of temperance organisations was held iri tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon. Members of the Choral Society and of church choirs formed a massed choir to the musical part of the programme. Badges and regalia wero freely worn by members of the Women's Christian Temperance' Union, the Independent Order of Rechabites, Good Templars and kindred bodies. The meeting was presided over by Sir George Fowlds, a vice-president of the New Zealand Alliance.

" We are standing before an unfinished task," said tho Rev. Dr. J. J. North. " We cannot leave an unfinished job lying about. There are no permanent setbacks to causes that are rooted in essential righteousness and the day shall surely come when white men, lifting their hands to Christ, shall wipo out the wrong that has been done and swear that in these lands there shall bo reared a nobler, cleaner, purer race." Referring to tho origin of the total abstinence pledge, the chairman said the "seven men of Preston" seemed to have got a clearer vision than those reformers who went before, and to have realised that it was alcohol in its various forms that was doing the damage. So they started in September, 1832, the modern movement for total abstinence from alcoholic liquor in every shapo and form. Like all reformers they had to meet with opposition and contempt and abuse, but they were men worthy of tho greatness of their cause. At the present time many of them wore a little depressed at the apparent setback in tho movement against the liquor traffic. That was disappointing, it was true, but it was only what they had a right to expect. A study of history would show that war had at all times produced a reactionary aftermath detrimental to the highest moral and spiritual welfare of the people. That consideration should prevent them from losing heart. Tho great advance that had been made in the sobriety of the people in the last 100 years was largely duo to the work of organised temperance societies. He commented on the fact that whereas 20 years ago it was among oider people that drinking was most prevalent in this country .now it was chiefly prevalent among young people. - A short history of the temperance movement was given by Mr. L. E. Falkner, president of the Auckland Total Abstinence Society, who described the almost inconceivable conditions in England 150 years ago, which led to the modern crusado against tho use of intoxicating liquor. Even the social meetings held at churches were marked by the prevalence of drunkenness, and it was not uncommon even for tho minister to be under the influence of liquor. At first those who were alarmed at tho condition of things thought all would be well if spirit drinking was stepped, and so drinking of malt liquors was encouraged, with the result that things became much worse. The point of view in thoso days was shown by the fact that an important temperance society in Germany laid it down that no member was to drink more than 14 glasses of spirits in one day.